Dentures – Owings Mills, MD
Reconstruct Your Smile After Tooth Loss
At Dolfield Dental, Dr. Jacob Milner understands how inconvenient and difficult it can be to just go about daily life when you’re missing most or all of your teeth. Thankfully, traditional dentures have come a long way since the uncomfortable and unnatural-looking ones your grandparents may have worn. Modern dentures in Owings Mills are much more durable and lifelike than ever before. If you’re ready to reconstruct your smile after tooth loss, contact us today to schedule your dentures consultation.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?
No matter how many teeth you’re missing, nearly anyone can get dentures. First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Milner or Dr. Miller to determine if you’re eligible. If you’re not yet a good candidate, it may still be possible to become one by restoring the health of your gums and bone structure. Your dentist will discuss these factors and their treatment, if applicable, at your visit.
Effects of Missing Teeth
There are many reasons why adults could be missing permanent teeth, including tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. While Dr. Milner and Dr. Miller will always do everything they can to save your tooth, sometimes the damage can be too severe and extracting it is the best solution.
Unfortunately, leaving empty spaces in your mouth isn’t ideal, even if it’s in the very back of your arch. Missing teeth can cause a variety of negative consequences, including facial sagging due to lack of jaw support, difficulty speaking due to improper tongue placement, trouble eating, and even diminished self-esteem.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
If you’ve experienced significant tooth loss, have sensitive teeth, or a lot of decay, as long as you have sufficient healthy gum tissue and jawbone strength, you are likely a good candidate for dentures. You must also be committed to caring for your mouth and your dentures, as this is still important even if you wear prosthetics and have no remaining natural teeth.
The number of teeth you’re missing will determine which type of dentures Dr. Milner and Dr. Miller will recommend for you, as there are different options to choose from, such as full, partial, implant, and immediate dentures. They are much more affordable than other methods of tooth replacement, which often makes them ideal for patients on a tight budget.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures, there are still other options you may want to consider. These include dental bridges and dental implants.
- Dental Bridges: These prosthetics are an excellent solution for patients who are only missing one or just a few teeth. However, they do require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth or teeth to support the bridge.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants are attached via a titanium post inserted in the jawbone, so you must have a solid bone structure to receive this treatment. They are more costly than traditional dentures, however because they are permanently attached to your jaw, they are considered permanent and should not require replacement.
Types of Dentures
Depending on the state of your oral health and your specific smile needs, Dr. Milner may recommend one of the following types of dentures:
Partial Dentures
Even missing just a few teeth here and there can make it embarrassing to smile in front of others. Fortunately, a partial denture can rebuild your smile in such a way that onlookers shouldn’t be able to differentiate it from your natural teeth.
Consisting of a gum-colored acrylic base and a metal framework, a partial denture fills the gaps in your grin with prosthetic teeth that are custom-made to mimic the size, shape, and color of the rest of your smile. Clips or clasps hold the partial in place behind your remaining teeth.
Full Dentures
Also made of a pink acrylic base, a full denture replaces an entire row of lost teeth and sits comfortably on your gums. Natural suction helps it stay in place, but if you need added security, purchasing some denture adhesive could help.
Implant-Retained Dentures
If you want a denture that will last longer and be more secure as well as permanent instead of removable, we can anchor a denture onto dental implants. Just four to six implant posts can be placed throughout the jaw to provide enough support for a full or partial denture. Rather than removing them to clean them, implant-retained dentures can be maintained just like natural teeth with daily brushing and flossing.
Benefits of Dentures
Here are just a few of the reasons to choose dentures for tooth replacement:
- Renewed ability to bite, chew, speak, and smile with ease
- Boosted confidence
- Custom-made solution that looks natural
- Improved oral health
- Improved overall health from being able to chew healthy crunchy foods like vegetables
- A long-lasting solution to full or partial tooth loss
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
As with any kind of dental work, the cost can vary based on a number of factors. When it comes to the dentures, we must consider the following:
- The exact type of dentures needed
- The number of teeth you are missing
- The materials used to create your denture
- Any pre-denture work you may need, such as tooth extractions or gum disease therapy
To make paying for your treatment easier, our practice is in-network with several major dental insurance carriers, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, and Delta Dental. We also accept monthly payment plans from reputable third-party companies like CareCredit. Lastly, we have an in-office Membership Plan. For a low annual fee, you can receive FREE preventive care as well as a 15% discount on most other treatments, including dentures.